Expressing support for designating November 2020 National Career Development Month.

IV 116TH CONGRESS 2D SESSION H. RES. 1239 Expressing support for designating November 2020 National Career Development Month. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES NOVEMBER 24, 2020 Mr. LANGEVIN (for himself and Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Edu- cation and Labor RESOLUTION Expressing support for designating November 2020 National Career Development Month. Whereas November 2020 marks the 107th year that the Na- tional Career Development Association (NCDA) is com- mitted to its mission of inspiring and empowering indi- viduals to achieve their career and life goals; Whereas a competitive global economy requires workers who make informed career choices to prepare for skilled pro- fessions; Whereas preparation for a purposeful career path helps to en- sure gainful employment best utilizing one’s skills and talent, while providing potential employers with a well- prepared workforce ready to meet the challenges of the global marketplace; VerDate Sep 11 2014 22:44 Nov 24, 2020 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HR1239.IH HR1239 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS 2 •HRES 1239 IH Whereas career development programs enable students to gain a realistic understanding of how formal education prepares them for post-high school plans, which may in- clude immediate employment in a civilian or military oc- cupation, or further education at a vocational program, community college, or university; Whereas career development activities in our communities contribute to lower unemployment as people identify ca- reers that match their interests and desired work envi- ronments; Whereas freedom of occupational and career choice is one of the most important birthrights of every United States cit- izen, and this freedom will be protected and enhanced throughout life; Whereas professional career development assistance, includ- ing but not limited to career counseling, should be avail- able to all persons throughout their lifespans; Whereas career development assistance is a community part- nership effort involving the education system, the home and family structure, business, industry, and a wide vari- ety of community agencies and organizations and is not carried out by career development professionals alone; Whereas equity, not just equality, of career development op- portunities should be available for all persons; Whereas the right to change occupations or career directions is fully as important as the right to choose an occupation or career direction; Whereas accurate, up-to-date information about educational and occupational opportunities is vital; VerDate Sep 11 2014 22:44 Nov 24, 2020 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HR1239.IH HR1239 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS 3 •HRES 1239 IH Whereas helping individuals increase self-understanding of their abilities, interests, values, and goals is a vital foun- dation of the career development process; Whereas career professionals help to provide career develop- ment services to inspire and empower our citizens’ atten- tion to where it is needed most: empowering the national economy through maximum individual productivity; Whereas according to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, as of October 2020, 11,000,000 workers are unemployed; Whereas career professionals help the United States worker meet the very real and immediate challenges of economic development, student achievement, and global competi- tiveness; Whereas career professionals are a vital resource for the live- lihood of our Nation’s workforce and are underutilized relative to their potential need and value; Whereas a Harris Interactive Poll, conducted in partnership with NCDA, examined the perceptions of today’s work- force on the effectiveness of career counselors, the need for expanded workforce training opportunities and the hardships implicit in selecting, changing, or getting a job in the current economic climate, and the feedback is very clear; and Whereas the 2011 Harris Poll results revealed that— (1) only one quarter (24 percent) of adults report that they have already visited a career practitioner and 86 percent of those found them to be helpful; and (2) only 37 percent of respondents reported making a conscious choice when choosing a career while over half (56 percent) took the only job available, looked inter- VerDate Sep 11 2014 22:44 Nov 24, 2020 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HR1239.IH HR1239 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS 4 •HRES 1239 IH esting at the time, or chose based on the influence of par- ents, relatives, or friends: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 1 (1) expresses support for the designation of 2 ‘‘National Career Development Month’’; 3 (2) affirms that career professionals are a valu- 4 able resource for the Nation’s workforce; 5 (3) recognizes career development activities in- 6 crease competencies needed for success in a global 7 economy; 8 (4) urges workers and jobseekers to utilize the 9 services of career professionals; and 10 (5) encourages career professionals, students, 11 educators, parents, employers, and the current work- 12 force to celebrate and promote career development. 13 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 22:44 Nov 24, 2020 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\HR1239.IH HR1239 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS